Paleo Gluten-free Chocolate Mousse (Vegan too!)

The worst is when you buy a bag of big juicy avocados and within a day they're all going too soft. So this recipe is win win because it's Paleo and you get to use up your avocados!

This recipe is Paleo, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and just really good for anyone.
Yes you can taste a bit of the avocado, but that's not a bad thing. Obviously if you hate avocados don't make this recipe.

Paleo Chocolate Mousse 

Ingredients
1 Large Ripe Avocado
1/2 Cup Almond Milk
1/2 Cup Cocoa Powder
1/4 Cup Maple Syrup
1Tsp Vanilla Extract

Put all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Refrigerate before serving if you prefer more cold and firm or eat right away if you don't. Works great as frosting for a cake, a topping for berries, or just as in out of the bowl.

Pairs well with red wine :)

Yes. I believe wine is Paleo.

My 30 Day Weight Loss Challenge: December 2014

November 30 2014

Well it's December again and just like every year, I take this time to kick my own butt into gear. It's so easy to let things slip by and indulge into the goodies and sweets and treats and drinks, so that's why I want to make a conscious effort to keep things in line.

For me personally, I work a lot harder at goals if I am kept accountable for them. So here goes. I want to post every night and keep a diary of how the day went.

Obviously I will be focusing a lot on my diet, but I want this to be more holistic. I will be looking at diet, physical exercise, mental exercise, professional development, stress levels and fun levels. I really hope it goes well!

So to send off November I will be having a lovely dinner with my parents, and yes, I will have a nice plate of delicious Persian rice. And tadeeg. mmmm....

Starting weight: 118lbs
Goal weight: 110lbs

Paleo Brownie Power Balls

Paleo Brownie Power Balls

I started making these Paleo Brownie Power Balls for my co-workers and it soon became a weekly tradition. They were a huge hit when I first brought them in and I have perfected the recipe and put my own little spin on it.
The only downfall is that they are so good that no matter how much you make, there are never any left over for the next day :( But I guess that's every chef's best compliment :)

Another great recipe for Paleo desserts is Paleo Banana-Coconut Cookies.

Please put your own spin on the recipe and let me know what you did! I always love to try new creations.

Paleo Brownie Power Balls

1 1/2 cup walnuts

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 cup pitted medjool dates

1 tbsp pure vanilla extract

1 tbsp cinnamon powder

1/4 cup egg whites

1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

In food processor add walnuts and cocoa powder. Process these until they are coarsely mixed, but you don't want to over process because then the walnuts will start to become like a butter. Add dates, vanilla and cinnamon. Process until everything is mixed together in a big clump. Add egg whites to soften everything. 

Remove mixture and put into a large bowl. In a smaller bowl put coconut flakes. Measure out a tablespoon of the mixture and make them into bit sized balls by rolling them in your hands. Then dip these balls into the coconut flakes. 

**sometimes I like to dip my balls into other ingredients like hemp hearts, ground flax, and cocoa powder**

Place all of your balls into a cookie tray lined with parchment paper. Put in freezer for at least two hours, and then you're ready to enjoy!

I love to keep my balls in the freezer because I love the frozen hard texture, but some people prefer to store them in the fridge. They will last up to a month in the freezer, and about a week in the fridge. 

The amazing thing about these bite sized balls is that they are SO satisfying, they taste like they have chocolate in them, and they have protein as well. Great as breakfast, pre-workout snack, and that perfect guilt-free pleasure. 

Prep Time: 15 min

Cooking Time: 0 min

Yields: 30 balls

The Only Thing That's Predictable About Life is That It's Unpredictable

The tough thing about life is accepting its unpredictability. 

Sometimes your house may be near a forest fire or maybe your wife is paralyzed  in a car crash or maybe your dog dies from heatstroke or maybe you find a lump and it's cancer. All of these things happen every single day. 

But for the most part they don't happen to us. 

Until they do. 

So what do you do until then? 

Every plan and goal you have will literally have to be put on hold when your life is in jeopardy. The big kitchen renovation you're doing or the dream to open up your own brewery or the Masters program that you've been working towards.

They just all lose any priority. I guess that's what people call "the important things in life". 

Well I mean the only really important thing is your health. 

Because without it you can't do all those things. You're either dead and can't do them or you're physically, mentally and emotionally unable to do them. 

So that's kind of depressing. 

But it's not! 

You just really have to do whatever you want to do. 

Do what makes you happy and don't apologize for it. 

If you want to take a thousand selfies then do it! 

If you want to watch hours of reality TV then do it! 

If you want to adopt 5 kittens do it! 

If you want to start every morning with an expensive latte then do it!

My perspective is that if you're not hurting anyone else then do it. And pay no attention to what other people say. Do it and don't stop doing it. Because one day you won't be able to anymore. 

Love hard

Live hard

Laugh hard 

Xoxo

Azin

Master Cleanse

I know this is very non-Paleo...but lately I really feel the need to get a good "wash-out" of my digestive system. I've been feeling sluggish, my skin is dry, my energy is low, and I want to loose some extra weight. And although I have always been very resistant with extreme diets, I really should it and give it my own judgement from my experience, rather than assuming something.

I would really appreciate any feedback or comments from those of you who have done the Master Cleanse. My main questions are: Will I be able to workout? Will I have a headache? Will I feel empty? Will I pee too much? Will I get used to it?

I will publish my meals as the days go on. Hopefully this will make it easier to stick with it.

Here goes.

Day 1: Ease-In

Breakfast:
1 organic orange
1 cup of coffee

Exercise:
Bikram Yoga

Lunch:
Salad with mixed greens, orange pepper, yellow pepper, and balsamic vinegar

Today has been a pretty easy day, I guess that's why they call it the "Ease-In" day. It's really rare for me  to go a day without eating meat, and I thought it would be a lot harder than this. Ask me to go a day without coffee, and we'll see how I feel. That's what I'm most worried about. Starting Monday, Day 1 of Master Cleanse, I won't be having coffee. Sweet Jesus.

Paleo 1 Year Anniversary Menu

I can't believe it! My Paleo 1 year anniversary is only a few weeks away. It's really amazing how much my food choices, habits, preferences, and cravings have changed over the past year. This has been one of the easiest lifestyle changes I have ever made, and I can only imagine that I will continue creating fantastic meals for the rest of my long life. 

Here are some of the major changes that I have seen regarding my food intake:

1. I used to only eat dry chicken breast. Now I eat every last piece of that delicious chicken. Including his spine. 
2. I used to pick off all of the fat that was around my steak. Now I pick steaks that have fat marbling throughout. 
3. I used to eat only lean dry meats. Now I specifically eat fatty meats, and this includes delicious pigs and their crackling skin. 
4. I used to never eat nuts because they are too fatty. Now I can't keep nuts in the house because I will devour them. I limit myself to 1kg of nuts/week. 
5. I used to eat a lot of empty calories like candy, popcorn, rice. I haven't had candy in almost a year, and the same with rice. 
6. I used to eat only egg whites. Now I eat at least 2 whole eggs every day. 
7. I used to eat very little for breakfast. Now I eat very large breakfasts and almost anything, including steak, pork chops, and salmon.
8. I used to be good at cooking. Now I'm amazing at cooking. 

In honor of my dedication for the last year, I am having a celebration night for myself. This is my night. I'm going to go all out. Here is the menu that I have planned for this special occasion:

Paleo 1 Year anniversary menu

Appetizers

• fresh shucked oysters
• patte
• marinated artichoke hearts
• olives
• roasted/salted nuts
• pepperoni/cured meats
• crab stuffed mushrooms
• smoked salmon
• dried seaweed
• bacon chips

Mains

• roasted veggies
• prime rib roast
• sauteed ground beef/mushroom/onion/garlic
• sushi
• ceasar salad 

Dessert

• dark chocolate
• coconut flakes/chips
• dates
• dried cranberries
• pineapple 

Beverages

• Sea Cider
• Red Wine
• Diet Coke

10-Step Paleo Guide

My Paleo journey has been absolutely remarkable. To be honest, it has been a lot easier than I ever imagined. I think this is mainly because I am always 100% satisfied. I am rarely hungry, I almost never have cravings, and my body is completely happy. 

When I initially read Robb Wolf's book called "The Paleo Solution", I was immediately hooked. The concepts seemed easy to follow and it made sense. But I can imagine this may not be the case for many people.

So...I have created an easy 10-Step Guide to Paleo!

Whether you're already well into your Paleo journey, or someone who is starting out, or someone who is just a bit curious. Take a look at these steps and use your imagination to see the cool, fun, creative meals you can make. It's so fun!

10-Step Paleo Guide

Commit 100%.

-If you're going to do Paleo, then really do Paleo. You might as well give your body a chance to try something totally different. You owe it to yourself. Do it right. 

Eat only animals, vegetables, nuts, and minimal fruit. 

-I find it easier to think of what I can eat, versus what I cannot eat. For example, if I’m at a pub I will order a burger with bacon, onion, mushroom, and instead of a bun, use tomato slices. 

-Some food items that are tricky...you cannot eat: soy products (soy milk, soy beans, tofu), legumes (lentils, beans, peanuts), dairy (yogurt, ice cream, cheese, butter), grains (bread, oatmeal, quinoa, rice), sugar (candy, juice, pop), and the list goes on. 

Use spices. 

-This is where you can get really creative. My favorite spices are cinnamon, cayenne, and ginger. For example, make a quick Thai Curry with coconut milk, white fish, spinach, mushrooms, garlic powder, curry powder, and cayenne powder. 

-Cinnamon and cayenne are really great for increasing your metabolic rate, so if you want to lose more weight then go nuts with these. 

Love fats. 

-My perception of fats was completely wrong. I always wanted to eat low-fat, fat-free. Now I embrace fat with an open mouth!

-Foods like avocado, coconut oil, coconut milk, coconut meat, animal fat, almonds, macadamia nuts, cashews. These are all great sources of good fats. 

Accept criticism. 

-In my first 6 months of Paleo I was very loud and proud of my new lifestyle. If any of my friends questioned the way I ate, I went on a huge lecture about the benefits of Paleo. This usually resulted in a heated debate, and I would just get fed up and exhausted. 

-The reality is that this type of eating is against what we have been accustomed to eating. So just learn to deal with others, and continue your own journey. 

Eat until you’re full. 

-You will be surprised at how much your portion size will increase. I can pretty much out-eat any man. But I continue to lose weight. 

Buy organic, grass-fed meats. 

-I understand that for some people this is not easily available, and very expensive. So do your best. 

Look at ingredients. 

-You really have to be cautious of ingredients. For example, soy is a very common ingredient in many things. Also in restaurants, always ask if there is any dairy in sauces. This can get you, and if you’re lactose intolerant, it will hurt. 

Prepare large meals.

-Whenever you make a meal, make a huge meal. Freeze leftovers or pack them up for your lunch. 

Give yourself a break. 

-Try your best, but don’t stress out if you break the “rules”. 

My confession

I was talking to my roommate tonight about something that happened on Friday night. So Friday was my graduation day. I completed a peroperative nursing certificate and a group of us went out to celebrate. We were at dinner and I, true to my strict Paleo obedience, ordered ribs and vegetables. I'm not sure exactly, but I guess it was the half bottle of wine and excitement from the day, that possessed me to grab a piece of garlic bread and eat it.

I put that piece of garlic bread in my mouth and I (vaguely) remember being in complete bliss. I'm pretty sure I had my eyes closed as I was eating that buttery piece of bread. It tasted like heaven would. Everyone at the table was shocked to see me eat a piece of bread, and to be honest, I am still shocked by the whole thing.

So it's now two days later, and I am still really stressed out by this whole thing. I feel like I betrayed myself. I feel angry with myself. But I also feel like why can't I just get over it. You ate a piece of bread. So what.

Unfortunately, I'm very hard on myself to the point of a bit obsessive compulsive. Usually, no matter how many glasses of wine I have, I still maintain my Paleo rules. I will generally eat a bunch of almonds, buy some beef jerky, or eat some frozen peaches.

I guess I needed to get this off of my chest. I need to confess my indiscretion, but I also need to learn to allow flaws in myself.

Thanks for listening.

Azin

Paleo Macaroons

For people who follow a Paleo diet, or for those who choose to limit certain foods, dessert is always a bit of a complication. Most desserts contain milk. Most desserts contain sugar. And most desserts are not Paleo friendly. But...

You can still eat dessert!

Here's how: When attempting to make Paleo desserts you should try to make something that does not require a lot of rising, has easily substituted ingredients, and isn't too finicky. Here is my take on Paleo Macaroon Balls.

Enjoy!

Paleo Macaroons

• 2 large egg whites
• 1/4 tbsp organic raw honey
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
• pinch of cinnamon (optional)
• 2 1/2 cups of organic unsweetened coconut flakes or shredded coconut
• 4 squares of organic 80% dark chocolate
• 1/4 tsp cayenne powder (optional)

Preheat oven to 350°C. 

In a large bowl mix together your egg whites and honey with a whisk or fork. Then add sea salt, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Next add in coconut flakes or shredded, and stir together until it is all mixed together. 

Here's the trick. Place mixture in freezer for 10 minutes. Remove from freezer and scoop onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Use a scoop that gives you golf ball sized balls. 

Bake in oven for 10-15 minute, until they are golden brown. Remove and let cool for at least 1 hour. 

On stove top bring water to a boil. Place a stainless steel bowl on top and put in your chocolate. You can use a double boiler if you have one. Heat chocolate until melted. Add cayenne powder to give you a slight spicy chocolate flavor. Drizzle melted chocolate over top of macaroons. 

Store them in an airtight container in the fridge or even freezer if you prefer a cold treat. 

Enjoy!

Yield: 16-18 golf ball sized macaroons

Review of Coconut, Almond and Soy Milk

As a CaveGirl who lives in a busy city, coffee is a big part of my life. I would consider it one of my passions. It's the reason that I go to bed at night, the reason that I wake up in the morning, and the reason I was successful in University.

As I began my Paleo journey, my main concern was "Will I be able to drink coffee"?

The answer is yes.

Not only can you drink coffee, but you can explore new coffee creations that you might not have thought of otherwise!

I will review three milk-substitutes and score them on based on taste, availability, and affordability. I will also post a recipe for a luxurious Cinnamon-clove Coconut Latte.

Coconut Milk

Taste: 4/5

Affordability: 3/5

Availability: 4/5

Coconut milk is really big in Paleo recipes. I used to drink coconut water as a hangover cure and then I realized you can also buy coconut milk in most grocery stores. The brand that I buy is Coconut Dream. I usually just buy the small tetra pack containers because I only use it for coffee. But if you use it in recipes like curry, then it might be worth it to buy the bigger size. That's what I have displayed here. To be honest it's a better value. 

Price: $4.49 - Sale $2.25

Available Stores: Supervalu, Whole foods, IGA Marketplace, Safeway, London Drugs, Saveon Foods

Coconut milk has the lowest carbohydrate content of the three. It appears to have the highest fat content, 5g/240mL, but if you have not already discovered, fat is a good thing. It's protein is quite low and calories are low as well. Overall my favourite alternative. 

Tip: I recommend that you heat up your coconut milk before putting it in coffee. Just put it in the microwave for 40 seconds (or heat it up on the stove). This makes it more smooth and creamy. 

Almond Milk 

Taste: 3/5

Affordability: 4/5

Availability: 5/5

I started drinking almond milk last summer when I did the Wild Rose Cleanse. It was hard to get used to the Original Silk flavour and I didn't like the Vanilla Silk flavour because it was too sweet. The hardest thing for me was the lack of availability in coffee shops. 

You are lucky if you can find soy milk in coffee shops, now just try almond milk. I only found two places that offer almond milk:  Bean Around the World and Melriches. 

The good think about almond milk is that you can pretty much buy it anywhere, and it is usually on sale. Same as coconut milk, I would recommend that you heat up the almond milk before adding it to coffee. 

Price: $4.99 - Sale $3.49

Available stores: London drugs, Supervalu, Safeway, Savon Foods, Thrifty's, Superstore, Costco, Shoppers, Whole Foods, IGA, Cappers

Soy Milk

Taste: 5/5

Affordability: 4/5

Availability: 5/5

Just an FYI, soy milk is not actually Paleo. 

I first began drinking soy milk when I began my lactose free life in July of 2003. At this time soy milk was not readily available in all stores. And you could forget getting soy milk in a coffee shop. 

But now in 2012 you can get so many different brands of soy milk. Some of them are even these Asian brands that are more raw/unprocessed versions. 

I have completely cut soy from my diet. When I look back I was eating too much soy: tofu, edamame beans, soy milk, soy cheese, soy nuts. You would be surprised at how many products actually contain soy but wouldn't seem like it. Also, soy is a very common genetically modified food (GMO), better to avoid these when you can. 

Price: $4.99 - Sale $3.50

Available stores: Everywhere!

My Paleo Journey

            My name is Azin and I’m 27 years old. I live in Downtown Vancouver and have dual careers as Makeup Artist/Operating Room Nurse. I’m a city girl who loves beauty, fashion, surgery, and Paleolithic living. If anything, I’m probably more of a cave-girl than a city girl.

I started eating Paleo on February 27, 2012. I had 2 days where I fell off the wagon, but I got right back up and have been going strong ever since. Today marks my 3-month anniversary!!

The main reason I started eating Paleo was because I was bored with my eating routine. Don’t get me wrong, I was eating very healthy at the time but I had a very imbalanced diet. If I didn’t have specific instructions then I would just eat whatever was in the fridge/pantry. Then I would be hungry again an hour later. I ate lots of quinoa, oatmeal, brown rice, and popcorn. I would crave popcorn like an African craves water. Now, 3 months later, the only types of cravings I get are for red meat and more red meat.

When I first started following the Paleo diet I used the 30-day meal plan found in Robb Wolf's book The Paleo Solution. It was important for me to use this meal plan because I had no idea what I was doing. I needed guidance, structure, and exposure to the variety of recipes that you can create with Paleo. After 30 days I understood the core concepts of Paleolithic living and was excited to put my own spin on things.

My recipes are based on 4 ground rules: affordable, creative, tasty, fat-blasting.

My first ground rule is really important to me because I’m a single girl living in the city. I love beauty and fashion, so if I can save money on food and instead spend it on having fun, then sign me up!

My second ground rule is also really important to me. Before I started Paleo I would literally eat popcorn for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I had absolutely no motivation to cook because I was bored out of my mind by the same old recipes.  My nutrition was poor and but I thought I was in okay shape.

My third ground rule is also really important because it’s the reason that I actually eat the food! I’ve developed my palate to enjoy foods and spices that I used to absolutely hate. One spice in particular is curry. I can’t tell you how much I hated curry. I wouldn’t even step foot into an Indian restaurant for fear of smelling like curry. But now I love curry powder!

My fourth ground rule makes me very happy. Fat-blasting! What better reason to stick to a diet than weight-loss. While I have only lost 10 lbs since I started Paleo, I feel like I’ve lost more because my body shape has changed so much. The biggest difference has been in my stomach. By no means do I have abs, but it's definitely a lot flatter. 

My favorite meal is breakfast, but they tend to resemble brunch more than anything. I’m constantly eating almonds and I always start my day off with at least one cup of coffee. Cinnamon will be your new favorite all-purpose spice. It literally tastes good on everything! An always use cayenne powder or Tabasco sauce, that’s a no-brainer.

I’m dedicating this blog to Paleolithic recipes. I’ll post videos recipes or picture recipes. Even if you follow these recipes once a day/once a week/or all the time, you’ll be hooked! (Plus you’ll lose weight!!!)